Dental articulator and attachments therefor



Dec. 15, 1964 A. J. DE PIETRO 3,160,955

DENTAL ARTICULATQR AND ATTACHMENTS THEREFOR Fil d Jan, 9, 1953 4Sheets-Sheet l 0 I K76 W V// INVENTORY ANTHONY J. DE PIETRQ JUL E WATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1964 A. J. DE PlETRO 3,160,955

DENTAL ARTICULATOR AND ATTACHMENTS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 9, 1963 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 6

I00 :NVENTOR.

ANTHONY J. DE PIETRO AT TO RNEYS Dec. 15, 1964 A. J. DE PIETRO DENTALARTICULATOR AND ATTACHMENTS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 9, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. ANTHONY J. DE PIETRO BY W fim l H p ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1964 J,DE p o 3,160,955

DENTAL ARTICULATOR AND ATTACHMENTS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 9, 1963 4sheets-sheet 4 FIG: 17.. FIG: ]6 I16; 16

INVENTOR.

-volves-the use of stone checks,

3,160,955 Patented Dec. 1 5, 1964 United States Patent Ofifice Thisinvention relates generally to apparatus for use in dental prosthesis,and particularly to apparatus for use in fabricating artificialdentures.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationSerial No. 62,190 now abandoned, filed October 12, 1960.

In the fabrication of artificial dentures, it becomes necessary tosecure various members to the upper section or bow member of a dentalarticulator, for example, a clutch tray or a denture-model. .The generalpractice is to use an auxiliary mounting table essentiaily including ahorizontally extending base, anv upright post at the front of the baseand an adjustable stand, at the, rear of the base. A suitably adjusteddental face bow is mounted upon the post andarranged so that it extendsrearwardly in overlying vertically spaced relation to the base. Thestand is provided with a head extending horizontally across the rear ofthe table and with a pair of elements threaded respectively into theopposite end portions of the head and adjustable for varying the lengththereof.

The stand is adjusted as required to bring the longi- An object of thepresent invention is to provide improved means for relating the uppersectionof a dental articulator to the dental face bow before theoperation of attaching to said upper articulator section an upper clutchtray or a model of the upper denture.

Another object is to provide such means which posi' tively interengageswith the opposed ends of the condyle pins of the face bow thereby tomaintain throughout the operation aforesaid coincidence of the axisextending be tween the opposed points of the face bow condyle pins andthe hinge axis of the upper bow member of the tudinally extending axisof the head into coincidence withthe axis extending between the opposedpoints of the condyle pins of the face bow and to bring the re- A moteends of the threaded elementsinto contact respectively with the opposedpoints of the condyle pins. Then the upper section of the articulator ismounted with its rear end resting upon the head of the stand and itsfront end resting upon the face bow. The upper clutch tray, which isattached to the face bow, is now suitably loaded with stone and securedto the upper section of the articulator. This use of the stand inaccordance with general practice has not proved to be entirelysatisfactory because the threaded elements merely abut the points of theopposed condyle pins without positively, interengaging therewith, andthe weight of the stone normally causes the longitudinally extendingaxis of the head and the axis extending between the opposed points ofthe condyle pins to shift relative to each. other, in consequenceof'which there occurs an appreciable error in mounting the clutch trayupon the upper bow member. V v

in the fabrication of artificial dentures, clutchtrays formed overdenture models are secured respectively to the upper and lower bowmembers of the articulator. Extending forwardly from the rims of thesetrays are clutch bars which are positioned by using a'conventional jig.While the jig positively positions the clutch bars relative to oneanother so that it is possible for the incisal pin to pass freelytherebetween, it doesnot positively posidepend upon his own goodjudgment for this,.and a slight error in orienting the jig very oftenmakes it impossible to close the incisal pin on the incisal guideduevto,interference by a clutch bar. Thus much time,.labor and material maybelostbecause it is impossible to correctly position and secure the lowerclutch tray to the lower the use of pantographs.

' bow member of the articulator unless the incisal pin can close on theincisal guide, The necessity for arranging articulator.

Another object is to provide such means which positively interengageswith the opposed ends of the condyle pins of the face bow in the manneraforesaid irrespective of whether the condyle pins are of the typeprovided with points or of the type provided with depressions or socketsin the opposed ends thereof.

Another object is to provide means which facilitate supporting the facebow for receiving and operatively mounting the upper section of thearticulator;

Another objectis to provide means which facilitate positivelypositioning clutch bars to effectively avoid any interference with theincisal pin and guide of the articulator..

Another object is to provide a pair of posts interchangeably mountableupon the fore end of the lower section of a dental articulator, one ofsaid posts being operatively for supporting the face bow in overlyingspaced relation to said lower articulator section and the other beingoperable for positively positioning clutch bars to effectively avoid anyinterference with the .incisal pin and guide of the articulator.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent when the followingdescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a dental articulator;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged one-half section on line 2-2 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE?) is an enlarged one-half section through the the lower bowmember and a pair of denture models attached respectively to the upperand lower bow meme bers and closer respectively upon the clutch trays}FIGURE 6 is a vertical section on line 66 of FIG- URE s; V V

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic side view of the articulator showing theinstrument turned upside 'down, the fore ends of the bow members spacedby the incisal pin and guide and'the upper clutch tray secured 'to theupper bow. member;

FIGURE 8 is sirnilar to FIGURE 7, hut shows the lower tray secured tothe .lower bow member; 7

FIGURE 9 is a front elevation of the instrument as shown in FIGURE 8; jFIGURE 10 is a rear elevation of the face bowjnounting post; V x

FIGURE if is a side, and FIGURE 12 i s top, view of the post shown inFIGURE 10;

, IGURE 13' is a front view'of the clutch tray mounting post;

FIGURE 14 is a side, and FIGURE-15 is a top, view of the post shown inFIGUREB; I

j FIGURE 16 is a front elevation of a modified face I mounting post; T

a tubular element 70.

' guide 40.

' FIGURES ,17 and 18 are opposite side views of the post shown in FIGURE16;

FIGURE 19 is similar to FIGURE 17, but shows the and in turn.

post mounted upon the lower bow member mounting the face bow; and VFIGURE 20 is-a fragmentary plan-view of the, structure shown in FIGURE19.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 1 to 4, anxarticw' lator constructedin accordance with the invention comprises a lower bow member includinga main body portion lll'terminating at the rear thereof in a pair oflaterally slidable in a groove 20, which groove is formed in a incisalguide" 98 secured thereto by a screw 99. Both the incisal pin'and guideare essentially the same as those described and'shown in my UnitedStates patent mentioned hereinbefore, to which reference may be had fordetails of construction and operation not disclosed herein. As pointedout in the aforesaid issued patent, the fore endv of the lower bowmember is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 160 whichreceives the tongue depending from the base of the incisal guide.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 1 0, 11 and 12, a face bow mountingpost, generally designated 102, is providedrwith a tongue 104 at thebase thereof and a screw lltFSthreaded into the latter. The head of thepost, desighorizontally extending hcad22 on the. post-12. Carried by thebody 10 area pair of guide pins 26 and a lock screw 28 adapted forsecuring to the lower bow member the mounting plate (not shown) 'for alower jaw model.

Overlying the lower bow member is an upper bow member including a mainbody portion 30 terminating at the rear thereof in a pair of wings'32extending. laterally out- Each wing 32- mounts a hinge part in the formof an assemblyygenerally. desig- Wardly in opposite directions.

nated 34. Carried by the body 30 area pair of guide pins 36 and a lockscrew 38' adapted for securing to the upperbow member the mountingplate,(notshown-) for an upper jaw model; v I

Each assembly 34 comprises a condylar guidein the form of a major partof a flat circular disc 40 disposed nated l'lld'isprovided with a cap110. Conjointly formed by thehead .166 andcap 110 is an opening 114. Onone side of the post the cap' 110 is hinged to the head 106, as at 116,and upon the opposite side of the post the cap 114 is detachably securedto the head 106 by a screw 118. I Referring particularly to' FIGURES 13, 14 and '15, a clutch 'rno'untingpost, generallydesignated 120, isprovidedwith a tongue 122 at the base thereof and a screw 124threadedji'n'to thefllatt'er'. The post 120 mounts a crossarm"126.having: a portion intermediate the ends thereof grooved, as at128, and slidably fitted to the post 120, the arm being thereby inclinedas shown. .A screw 130iis projected through a slot 131 in the post 120'and i is threaded into the cross arm 126'for clamping the cross -,arm126 are each screw 134.

an arcuate posterior portionr52- and an arcuate anterior portion 54.'Each abutment 48-and surface 50 is adapted to slid'abl'y' engage theassociated spherical element .14. ,Each assembly'34 includes a condylarguide mount in the form of a bifurcated member 56 having a base portion58 joining a pair of arms 60 and 62. These arms depend from. the base inlaterally spaced relation to one Press-fitted. into the arm 62 is a pin66 projecting into an' arcuate groove 68 in the disc 40. Referringparticularly to FIGURE 3, extending lengthwise of the base 58 of'th'econdyle guidemount, is, an index mark 69.

Extending from the base 58 is a stem in the form of Fitted over the stem70 a washer 72-provided with' a diametrically extending tongue 74- andan axially extending index mark 75. Immediately above the washer 72' isa second washer 76 provided with a diametrically extending tongue 78'.Threaded onto the stem' 76) is a nut80 counterbored, as at 82, foraccommodating a coil spring 84- 'extending about the stem. 70.'-Threaded. into the stem 70 is a screw 86, the terminal portion of whichscrew is adapted to engage the As thus far described, the hinge part. 34is essentially the same as a. hinge part described in copending applica-'tion, Serial No. 856,425; filed December 1, 1959, which has sincematured 'into United States Patent No. 3,019,- 530. dated February .6,1962, to which reference maybe arm to the post; The opposite .endportions of' the cross provided with an opening 132 and a Referringparticularly to FIGURE 4, "a conventional face bow, generally designated136, is provided with a crossbar 138, a pair of arms 140 extendinglaterally from oppositeend portions of the bar 138 and secured theretoby fittings 142. Each'arm 140 carries an auxilia'ry' arm 144'pivoted, asat 146. The arm 144 suitably mounts acondy1epin148 and is spring biased,as

at 152, against the-lower end of a stop screw 154. Mounteduponthecrossbar'138 are fittings 1'56 and 158; Extending-upwardly fromthe fitting 156 is a standard 162 provided with ajlateral 'extension'164 at the upper end thereof, and extending; rearwardly from the fitting158 is a clutchv bar 166 mounting a clutch tray 168.

In the fabrication of artificial dentures, the patient is directed toclose on' a bite fork (not shown) mounted on the face how 136. Thecondyle pins 148 and the standard 162 are then-adjusted temporarily, allin known manner.

The next step is to remove the incisal pin 96 and incisal guide.98"frorn the articulator and to substitute for the guide 98 the face bowmounting post .102. This is accomplished by fitting the tongue 104 ofthe post-102 into the slot formerly occupied by the tongue'dependingfrom the base of the guide 98, and by removably securing the post in"position as bythe screw 105. I Next the cap and clamping the bar inposition by tighten? 'ing the vscrew 118. Thus the face bow isjmount'edin overlying? spaced; relation to the lower bow member of made for the.details of construction and operatiorij-notv disclosed herein. Thewashers 72 and ,76' are disposed respectively. in underlying andoverlying relation tothe 5 wing 32 of the upper face bowawith theirtongues "'74 and 78 slidably fitted in a slot 88. The pin'64 is providedwith an'abutrnent in the form of a head 90 axially tapered,

as at 92, and;provided with: an axia lly extending conical thearticulator. V x r y The upper; bow member of the articulator'may now bemounted' upon'theafacefbow- This" is accomplished is fshown matchingtheind'exmark. 75.. Then the hinge parts 34 are spacedequidistantly fromthe upright lon- Igitudinally extending medialgplane; through the upperI 'bowmernberand-a distance-apartsuitable for acceptance of the. pointsof the condyle pins by the abutments 90. Thus the rear end of the upperbow member is carried by the 'condyle pins 148. The fore end of theupper bow member is placed upon the extension 164 of the standard 162.

An upper stone model made from a suitable impression is now mounted uponthe upper bow member 30 by seating the model upon the fork aforesaid,swinging the upper bow member 30 upwardly and rearwardly, applyingplaster to the top of the model, turning the upper bow member 30 back toits initial position and allowing the plaster to harden.

Now a lower stone model made from a suitable impression is mounted uponthe lower bow member. This is accomplished by first removing the uppersection of the articulator, the face bow and face bow mounting post fromthe lower section of the articulator. Then the upper and lower sectionsof the articulator are assembled, using incisal pin 96 and guide 98 tolevel the upper section 30. Now the whole assembly is turned upsidedown. Then the lower model is related to the upper model by using acentric relation record. Now the lower section of the articulartor isswung upwardly and rearwardly, plaster is applied to the lower model, 7

,, the lower bow member is turned back to its initial position and theplaster is allowed to harden.

The next step in the procedure is to make clutch trays and ready thesame for mounting in the patients mouth. The incisal pin 96 and guide 98are removed from the articulatonand the guide98 is replaced with clutchtray mounting post 12 0 This is done by fitting the tongue 122 into theslot 100 and by securing the same in position as by screw 124, Now thescrews 134 are loosened; the clutch bars 166 projected throungh openings132, and the screws retightened. Then screw 130 is loosened, cross arrn126 moved to a suitable height and screw 130 retightened. The trays,designated 168, are now formed in known manner over the stone models andattached to the clutch bars 166.v Then the models are closed on thetrays, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, wherein the upper and lower stonemodels are designated respectively 172 and 174, and the plaster securingthe same to the upper and lower articulator sections respectively isdesignated 176 and 178. The clutch trays, with the clutch bars affixedthereto, are now transferred to the patients mouth, and the trays arecemented in place.

The next step is to locate the center of rotation by using the face bowand to mark the face in known manner. The face bow is then transferredfrom the lower to the upper clutch bar and a final adjustment is made toall three reference marks on the patients face. The upper clutch bar,upper tray and face bow arenow separated as a unit from the patientsteeth, and the lower clutch bar and lower tray are separated as a unitfrom the patients teeth.

The next step is to remount the upper section of the articulator uponthe face bow. Referring particularly to FIGURE 4, this is accomplishedby first mounting the face bow post 102 upon the lower bow member of thearticulator and clamping the face bow to the post 102 in the mannerdescribed hereinbefore. Then the hinge parts 34 of the upper articulatorsection are turned about their axes so that abutments 90 face outwardlyin opposite directions. The hinge parts-are positioned on opposite sidesof the upright longitudinally extending medial plane of the upper bowmember and at an effective distance apart equal to the clear distancebetween the opposed points 150 of the condyle pins 148. The condyle pins148 are forced apart slightly so that the points 150 thereof may passover the rims of the abutments 90, and then they are released, whereuponthe points 150 spring back toward one another and enter respectively theconical depressions 94. The fore end portion of the upper bow member 30is seated upon the extension 164 of the standard 162.

Now the upper tray 168 is attached to the upper section of the'articulator.l Then, referring particularly to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, theincisal pin 96 and guide 98 are remounted respectively upon the upperand lower sections of the articulator, and the upper section 30 isremounted upon the lower section 10. Now the instrument is turned upsidedown, as shown in FIGURE 7, and the lower tray 168 is set in correctrelation to the upper tray 168 by using a proper stone check. Then thelower bow member 10 is swung upwardly and to the rear, stone, designated182 is applied to the lower tray, the lower bow member 10 is returned'toits initial position and the stone is allowed to harden, as shown inFIGURES Band 9.

It should be noted that there is no need for the cumbersome auxiliarymounting table mentioned hereinbefore. Instead, the lower bow member 10fitted with the face bow mounting post 102 is conveniently used. Inaddition, the points of the'condyle' pins positively inter engage withabutments 90, in consequence of which the weight of the stone does notcause misalignment of the hinge axis extending through the abutmentsrelative to the axis extending between. the opposed points of thecondyle pins. The face bow and the upper bow member of the articulatordo not move relative to one an other. If they move at all, they move asa unit.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, the clutch bars arepositively located by the clutch tray mounting post 120 so that theycannot possibly interfere with the incisal pin 96 or guide 98.. Norelianceis placed upon the operators good judgment to properly orientthe clutch bars 166 relative to the incisal pin 96. The abutments 90 areadapted for operatively coactin'g with a face bow having condyle pins ofthe pointed type or with condyle pins of the type provided withdepressions or sockets in the opposed ends thereof. Finally, the incisalguide 98, face bow mounting post 102 and clutch bar I mounting post 120are interchangeably mounted upon the lower bow member 30.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 16 to 20, a modified form of the facebow mounting post, generally designated 190, which may be used toadvantage in lieu of face bow mounting post 102, comprises lower andhead sections, respectively designated 192 and 194, square in transversesection. The lower section 192 is split fore and aft, as at 196, to formlaterally spaced furcations 198. The'upper section 194 is undercut toform a pair of shoulders 200 respectively on opposite sides of a tongue202 extending downwardly between the furcations 198. Extending freelythrough one of the furcations 198' or aft. The head section 194 isprovided with .an opening" 210 extending fore and aft therethrough. Ascrew 212 having a knurled head 214 is threaded into the head section194 and is adapted to enter the opening 210 from one side thereof. Thelower end portion of the section 192 is undercut to provide a shoulder216 and a cylindrical element 218 depending therefrom. The diameter ofthe element 218 is slightly less than the width of the slot formed inthe fore end portion of the lower bow member. Threaded into the element218 is a screw 220 provided with a head 222.

Referring particularly to FIGURES; 19 and 20, the face bow mounting post190 is shown mountedupon the fore end of the lower bow member. Theelement 218 is slidably fitted into the slot 100 and the shoulder 2 16is seated'upon' the upper surface of the lower bow member. The ,post isadjustably afiixed in position by the screw 220; The clutch bar 166 isslidably projected through the opening 210 and secured by; the screw212. It will be observed that the'clutch tray 16S, clutch bar 166' andface bow 136 may be tilted as a unit lvertically fore and aft byloosening the screw 204,, tilting the head section 194 to the desireddegree relative to the lowerbow member and then retightening the screw204. In addition, the clutch tray 168, clutch bar 166. and face bow 136may be swung laterally to the rightor-to the left as a unit by looseningthe screw 220, turning, the post aboutitslongitudinal axis to thedesired degree and thenretightening the screw 220.

Furthermore, the clutch tray. 16%, clutch bar 166 and face bow 136' maybe tilted laterally as a unit vertically by loosening the screw 212,turning the bar 166 about its axis to the desired degree and thenretightening the screw 212. Thus universal type adjustment of the facebow relative tothe lower bow member is achieved.

It will beunderstood, of course, that the present in vention, as shownand described, is susceptible to various changes and modifications whichmay be made without any departure from the general principles of theinven-' tion; Accordingly, it is intended to claim the present in- Vventio'n broadly, as well as specifically, as, indicated in the appendedclaims. a

What is claimed is: 1. In apparatus for use in dental prosthesis, thelower bow member of a dental articulator, the upper bow member of adental articulator, and means mounting said members in mutuallyoverlying relation including laterally spaced corresponding hinge partsmounted at the rear of facing'away from'one another along a hinge axiscommon to saidhinge parts, an upright post mounted upon the fore end'ofsaid lower bow member, a clamp carried by said post, and a dental facebow afiixed to said post by means of said clamp and extending rearwardlytherefrom, said face bow including opposed condyle pins, said upper bowmember being mounted upon said face bow with the opposed condyle pins ofsaid face bow received respectively by said abutments,-the ends of saidcondyle cross arm and re'ceiving,and holding saidpair of bars, 7

said upper bow member and having undersurfaces simulating the condylepaths in the natural skull and abutments pins being thereby positionedinregistry with said hinge axis and with the fore part of said face bowunderlying the fore end of said upper bow member, said upper bow memberbeing thereby mounted for swinging movement upwardly and rearwardlyabout said hinge axis.

2. The combination comprising a dental articular ineluding a lowerbowmember, an upper bow member, means for mounting saidmembers inmutually overlying relation, a post detachably afiixed to, and extendingup wardly from, the fore end portion of said lower member, a verticallyadjustable cross arm carried by said post, a

pair of bars respectively at opposite ends of said cross arm extendingrearwardly from said post at different levels, vertically spaced clampmeans carried by said and clutch trays carried'by said bars. r pReferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Spencef Sept. 4, 1962

1. IN APPARATUS FOR USE IN DENTAL PROSTHESIS, THE LOWER BOW MEMBER OF ADENTAL ARTICULATOR, THE UPPER BOW MEMBER OF A DENTAL ARTICULATOR, ANDMEANS MOUNTING SAID MEMBERS IN MUTUALLY OVERLYING RELATION INCLUDINGLATERALLY SPACED CORRESPONDING HINGE PARTS MOUNTED AT THE REAR OF SAIDUPPER BOW MEMBER AND HAVING UNDERSURFACES SIMULATING THE CONDYLE PATHSIN THE NATURAL SKULL AND ABUTMENS FACING AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER ALONG AHINGE AXIS COMMON TO SAID HINGE PARTS, AN UPRIGHT POST MOUNTED UPON THEFORE END OF SAID LOWER BOW MEMBER, A CLAMP CARRIED BY SAID POST, AND ADENTAL FACE BOW AFFIXED TO SAID POST BY MEANS OF SAID CLAMP ANDEXTENDING REARWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID FACE BOW INCLUDING OPPOSED CONDYLEPINS, SAID UPPER BOW MEMBER BEING MOUNTED UPON SAID FACE BOW WITH THEOPPOSED CONDYLE PINS OF SAID FACE BOW RECEIVED RESPECTIVELY BY SAIDABUTMENTS, THE ENDS OF SAID CONDYLE PINS BEING THEREBY POSITIONED INREGISTRY WITH SAID HINGE AXIS AND WITH THE FORE PART OF SAID FACE BOWUNDERLYING THE FORE END OF SAID UPPER BOW MEMBER, SAID UPPER BOW MEMBERBEING THEREBY MOUNTED FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT UPWARDLY AND REARWARDLYABOUT SAID HINGE AXIS.